Exercise is the key to achieving optimal health and remaining fit. Being fit involves the use of different components of the body which include the muscles, lungs, cardiovascular and skeletal system among others. Exercise aids fitness in several ways. For example, vigorous physical activity causes the heart muscles to work harder. This leads to increased blood flow throughout the body that helps circulate oxygen to the tissues and also eliminates the cellular waste products from the body. During exercise, we tend to inhale deeply and thus draw in extra oxygen that not only helps power the heart but also the tissues of the body. When we exhale, we rid the body of carbon monoxide, a waste product produced as a result of biochemical reactions that take place in the body. There are different exercise routines that aim at developing specific parts of the body. For example, yoga improve balance, flexibility and muscular control. An aerobic workout helps to activate the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems and weight training focuses on building muscle mass and toning the body. However, even though these exercises target a specific focus group, exercise in general is beneficial for the entire body. Moderate exercise for just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week will go a long way in achieving optimal fitness. There are a variety of simple exercises that can be done without any special equipment or training. These include taking a brisk walk, taking the stairs where ever possible, going for a short jog everyday or even skipping. For those who prefer more vigorous forms of activity, a good tennis game, running an hour on the treadmill or exercise bike, swimming a few laps around the pool or spinning can help raise your fitness and energy levels much higher.

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